Everyone has a different perception of what hypnosis is. As a professional stage hypnotist & CMH, I’ve helped many people overcome some of life challenges, such as losing weight or flying without fear for the first time, etc. Helping people is in my nature, and I’ll continue to do so. But now, let’s talk a little about Stage Hypnosis.
A friend (and fellow stage hypnotist) said that I go too slow, from walking onto the stage to performing the first skit. Another says it’s a good pace and very funny, but I need more flash in the beginning. That’s one of the challenges with training people; they all become critics once they have 10 to 15 shows under their belt. LOL, but I take it all in stride.
My Show
My hypnosis show is just that: mine. I do what feels good, and who is to say what’s fast or slow as long as your audience and volunteers enjoy it? While rapid hypnotic inductions (see clips on my site) look cool and I can do them, I achieve a deeper level of hypnosis and a feeling of connection with everyone both on and off stage by using a more gradual approach, not a PR induction. This results in a much better show that everyone can enjoy.
I find it helps the volunteers to reach a somnambulistic state a tad easier through a group induction rather than a quick, shocked state where I have to repeat suggestions for depth. Once you see two or three people drop into hypnosis, that’s enough, but to go on and on with everyone takes time and gets dull for the audience and me.
People today have very short attention spans, no matter what is going on, I’ll bet not many people have made it to this point in the post. See what I mean? LOL… if you have, good on you.
Entertaining
It’s not about speed for me; it’s about being entertaining, being a showman, building anticipation. Maybe one shock induction before working with the group is fine and kinda fun too.
So, for me, the bottom line is: go at whatever pace you like. I prefer a good steady pace, with a stage induction that’s visual that will keep your audince engaged. Have something going on at all times for the audience. Do this, and you’ll have a great show too.
From my experience working on cruise ships, performing at product launches all over India, and years of hypnotizing people at state fairs, Canadian exhibitions, high schools, and universities, I don’t have many people walking out or playing on their phones. While I’m getting people into a hypnotic trance, I do my best to make it enjoyable to watch from the audience perspective. My performances move at a good steady pace, and I’m a very funny guy. I entertain everyone on stage and in the audience, which is the goal.
To those who have borrowed skits from my show, then called my show slow, claimed they didn’t enjoy it, or said it could be better or faster (there’s always room for improvement), I say: “Do your show your way, and I will do my show my way.” When you have companies, fairs, schools, and groups book you over and over, year after year, let me know. Then maybe I’ll decide to speed up, incorporate more rapid induction (AKA street hypnosis), and take all the comments to heart. Until then, remember this: Every moment you spend being critical is just one minute of your life you’ve missed out on being happy. Thanks for stopping by; I hope you’ve enjoyed my site.
A good friend gave me the best advice: “Every show is a good show,” and if you understand that line, you’re way ahead of the game.
Happy entertaining! 😀